Signs Your Brakes Need Attention

By Ryan Schmidt, Porsche-trained Master Technician · 15 October 2026

The main signs your brakes need attention are squealing or grinding noises, vibration through the pedal or steering wheel, a soft or low pedal, the car pulling to one side when you brake, and a brake warning light. If you notice any of these, have the brakes inspected soon. If you hear grinding, stop driving and get it checked straight away.

Gold Coast traffic is hard on brakes. Stop-start runs along the M1 and Smith Street, steep streets in the hinterland and summer heat all add wear. Here's what to look and listen for.

1. Squealing or squeaking

Many brake pads have a small metal tab that squeals when the pad is getting thin. It's designed to annoy you. A light squeak on a damp morning that goes away is often just surface rust, but a squeal every time you brake means the pads should be checked.

2. Grinding or scraping

Grinding usually means the pad material has worn away and metal is rubbing on the rotor. That cuts your stopping power and quickly damages the rotors. Call us before driving any further than you have to.

3. Vibration or pulsing

If the brake pedal or steering wheel shudders when you slow down, especially from highway speed, the rotors may be worn unevenly or below their minimum thickness. When rotors are worn, we replace them with quality parts suited to your car.

4. Soft, spongy or low pedal

A pedal that sinks further than usual can mean air or moisture in the brake fluid, a fluid leak or a worn component. Brake fluid absorbs water over time, and our humid coastal climate speeds that up. That's why most manufacturers want it replaced every 2 years.

5. Pulling to one side

If the car veers left or right when you brake, a caliper may be sticking, or one side may have contaminated or uneven pads. It needs to be inspected.

6. Warning lights

Many European cars, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, VW and Porsche, have electronic pad wear sensors and an electronic parking brake (EPB). A brake pad or EPB warning means the system has spotted a problem. Replacing pads on these cars often needs a diagnostic tool to retract the EPB and reset the sensors. We have that equipment at our Ashmore workshop.

7. Burning smell or a hot wheel

A sharp smell after normal driving, or one wheel much hotter than the others, can mean a dragging caliper or a handbrake that isn't releasing fully.

How often should brakes be checked?

We check your brakes at every service. Pad life varies a lot, from around 20,000 km on performance European cars to well over 50,000 km on lighter cars driven gently. Have them looked at at least once a year, and replace the brake fluid at the interval in your logbook.

What happens at a brake inspection

• Measure pad thickness and rotor thickness against the manufacturer's limits
• Check calipers, slide pins, hoses and lines for leaks or sticking
• Test brake fluid condition
• Check the handbrake or EPB
• Give you a clear quote before we replace anything

Brake parts and work we supply carry our 12-month or 20,000 km warranty, whichever comes first. Find out more on our brake repairs page, or read about European car servicing intervals.